Which .22LR: Ruger SP101 4" or SR22???

22LR: Ruger 4" SP101 or SR22???

  • Ruger 4" SP101

    Votes: 50 78.1%

  • Ruger SR22

    Votes: 14 21.9%
  • Total voters
    64
  • Poll closed .
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T

TrailWolf

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Location
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Hi all - well in the market for a .22LR handgun for some plinking goodness.

Have narrowed it down to the new Ruger 4" SP101 or the new Ruger SR22. I know auto vs. revolver is very tough choice, but I shot both and I really really loved both and I am not a revolver and semi gut - love my S&W revolvers and Glocks. The only thing I can think of that pushes the SP101 into the #1 is that it will probably last 10 times as long as the SR22 and I might get to shoot it with my grandkids one day... I wonder how long the SR22 would last?

Cost difference aside, are there any obvious pros and cons I am forgetting about?

What are your thoughts on the better choice out of these as a first (and only) 22LR pistol for plinking?

(I know about the Buckmark and MKIIIs, but they just didn't do it for me...)

Thanks :)
 
Ruger makes great revolvers, fact. The sr22 is really cool though. They both will likely last a long time if taken care of. I voted the sp given your views, but if I were to buy one, I would buy the sr22.
 
In the carry thread, Glock or J frame, I wholeheartedly endorsed the Glock.

Here, I think it would be a mistake to buy the SR22 (which to all appearances looks to be an altered P22, and we all know how Ruger feels about slapping their name on someone else's design) over the SP101.
 
I am not aware of any problems being common with the SR22. Both mine and my friends each have over 1,200 rounds through them. I have had one failure to feed in 1,200 rounds. I mainly shoot bulk federal, Winchester and CCI Blazer. This gun shoots anything and does it flawlessly. I haven't cleaned the pistol but once. It is my favorite 22 because of its size and pure fun factor. I love the sights on it as well. I also have a Ruger MKII, Ruger Single Six, and GSG 1911. My only desire change would be a threaded barrel like the GSG. I like the fact it comes with 2 mags. The safety is a little different but manageable.

The SP101 on the other hand has a horribly stiff trigger pull that cannot be reliably lightened. I've held off on it for this reason.
 
The SP101 on the other hand has a horribly stiff trigger pull that cannot be reliably lightened. I've held off on it for this reason.
Click to expand...

Hogwash, with some stoning and some spring changing, my SP101 has a nice trigger. Mine has a couple thousand rounds through it. :neener:
 
I have a lot of Ruger revolvers and semi autos. All good guns but the 101 I'm not crazy about.

I bought a SR22 a couple weeks ago. Have something over a thousand rounds through it. I'm considering getting another one.:)


I think I would hold off on the SR22 for a while till they get some bugs out of it.
Click to expand...
What bugs is that?
 
Revolver is the choice for the greatest variation in ammunition; maybe even shorts. I'd go with that.

I have a Ruger 22/45, and it's fussy about what it's fed. It won't cycle subsonics at all, and I wanted to see if they would be more accurate with it. Thought about trying to find a lighter spring, but never bothered.
 
Viper225 wrote:
You might want to take a look in the rimfire section.
Click to expand...

There's a "rimfire section" here now..? (Maybe he is referring to www.rimfirecentral.com...)

Personally, I'd go with the SR22 just because I've been craving a good .22 auto in around that size category. But, for your purposes, I'd go with the revolver because I think they have more character and are better for introducing new shooters to the sport.
 
Personally if I were getting a .22 and didn't care if it was a revolver or auto, I would take a very long, sultry look at the CZ-75 Kadet.

It's an outstanding pistol in it's own right, and you can always buy a 9mm top end for it sometime down the road.
 
Here, I think it would be a mistake to buy the SR22 (which to all appearances looks to be an altered P22, and we all know how Ruger feels about slapping their name on someone else's design) over the SP101.
Click to expand...

Yes, they do look similar, but after thinking the same thing, I compared and contrasted them. There are some major differences that set the the SR22 apart from the P22:

SR22 has an aluminum slide and the P22 has a low quality alloy slide (think pot metal or hotwheels metal)

The SR22 has a frame-mounted de-cocker/safety and the P22 has a slide mounted hammer block safety.

I'm sure there are other differences, and there are many similarities, but there is no way that this is a case of Ruger slapping their name on a Walther/Umarex product.

As to the OP's question about which to buy; If I didn't own any 22 plinking guns yet, I would buy the SP101. But since I have a couple S&W 22 revolvers and I don't own a small autoloading 22LR, I'd lean toward the SR22.
 
I'd suggest getting one of the more traditional Ruger .22s if you want a semi-auto, so either the Ruger Mk. III or Ruger 22/45. Both are great guns, have a reputation for reliability and accuracy that goes back almost half a century, and can be modified at will.
 
[Did Ruger come out with a 4" version? I have a 3", nice gun, needed some trigger work]

The new sp101 actually has a 105mm (4.2") bl length. Canadain law (communism?). Ruger wants the market up north, too:D.

I'd get the sp101. I already have a mkII target, so I NEED the revolver:rolleyes:.
 
If you're indeed talking about the SR22 handgun then I'd go with the revolver.

To my eyes the SR22 pistol is so ugly that it's own mother would chew through the cord and run away.... :D

And just why did Ruger go out of their way to confuse us by calling a rifle and handgun by the same name?
 
Hey guys - Thajks so much for all the advice and opinions!!!

Went hunting for the sp101 and can't find it ANYWHERE!!!!!!

was thinking now maybe I should just go for a Single Six or Ten...? Seen like it should be a pretty fun gun.
 
My Dad had a Single Six, and it was a cool, reliable , accurate revolver, but it is a pain in the neck to load and eject spent casings from. He sold it and is happy with an MK III now.
 
If you would be shooting the DA revolvers in SA mode most of the time then a Single Six or Ten is a very good alternative.

I've got a Single Six which I really enjoy. But I'm eagerly awaiting the arrival up this way of the SP101's for the double action fun I need to use the gun in my local Speed Steel club event. In that one there just isn't time to cock the hammer for each shot if you're competing against others with DA rimfire revolvers that are able to use them well.

On the other hand if you're actually looking for a nice semi auto gun then why have you passed over on the Mk III or one of the 22/45 variations? Or if the simple look of the Ruger upper doesn't do anything for you then the other classic, the Browning Buckmark. Or the relatively unsung option of the S&W 22a. Or the newly introduced S&W M&P .22.

I'd even take a Beretta NEOS over that new Ruger SR22. It just looks too much like some oddball Transformer toy gun what with all the odd shapes and angles and doo-dads all over it. I'd expect to be able to take it out of the box and with a few folds have a little gun like robot walking around the table.... :D
 
I was faced with almost the same decision... so I bought both the SR-22 and LCR-22 and skipped the SP101 in 22. The one that is on my list to buy is the 3" S&W Model 63. I have never seen one and hate to order one without handling it. I'm skipping the SP101 entirely. I just think the M63 is a better gun and I would be happier with it in the long run.
 
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